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Alonso Wins Formula One Drivers' Title

Grahame LucasSeptember 11, 2005

McLaren-Mercedes' Juan Pablo Montoya wins Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Kimi Raikkonen, but Fernando Alonso from Renault is the big winner.

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Fernando Alonso of Renault celebrates his first world titleImage: dpa

McLaren's Jan Pablo Montoya won the Brazilian Grand Prix on Sunday but it was not enough to keep his teammate Kimi Raikkonen in the race for the drivers' title. Fernando Alonso of Renault came in third to make him the youngest ever Formula One champion at the age of 24.

Spaniard Alonso said that his main priority now was to secure the constructors' title for Renault in the remaining two races.

Alonso was on pole position at the start of the race but was soon overtaken by the faster McClaren cars. However, he stuck with this task of securing a top three finish to secure the title and came in comfortably ahead of former World Champion Michael Schumacher who finished in fourth place.

This was McLaren's first one-two finish in five years and it gave the team the overall lead in the constructors' championship.